Editor:
This is a request for New Westminster residents to continue to be kind and be patient.
I know everyone is getting more and more irritable with COVID-19 restrictions, but it is no excuse for treating others poorly. I was recently at a mall in New Westminster. This mall has two main elevators, where one tends to be out of order. I have a back injury and I have pain a majority of the time because of it.
My disability is invisible and I'm in my mid-30s, which makes it difficult to tell I have a handicap. I began to be in a lot of pain during my trip to this mall and I decided to go home. I was unable to complete all my shopping, but I decided I'd have to come back when the pain wasn't as bad. I waited for the one working elevator to come to the floor after I pressed the button. No one was there when I got there.
When it finally came, there was a line of people waiting to use the elevator. As I got on with the pain getting worse I couldn't wait to get on and grab the bar inside to give me support. My limbs were going numb from the pain and it was getting worse.
As soon as I got in, a passerby told me to get off to let on a senior with a walker. I told her about my injury and my pain and I had to get home. This ignorant passerby then says to me, "it doesn't matter." I tried to protest as the doors closed after the senior got on with me. I was appalled at the callousness of this ignorant creature of nature. Apparently my pain and medical condition didn't matter since I'm not a senior.
I have complete respect for seniors and those with disabilities, but I have had it with people like that. Just because I don't have a walker to show my disability doesn't mean I don't have limitations. My disability is invisible and I know there are countless others who also have invisible disabilities who have also been subjected to ignorant people who continue to judge a book by its cover. I feel for them. To those who feel that they have to interfere in the lives of others, stop and actually think for once why such a thing is happening. And, most importantly, be kind.
You are not a mind reader.
You don't know what difficulties others are going through.
P. Gill, New Westminster
